nashuaworldcup Chapter 147 Mid-Autumn Festival
Chapter 147 Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions, is a time of full moon and celebration. The Li family's courtyard was packed with people. Besides the Li brothers and their families, Li Xiaonuan's aunt and her family had also unexpectedly arrived. Of course, the Li family had also invited Grandma Yu and Zhou Liufeng to celebrate with them.
Compared to the bustling atmosphere of the Li family's residence, the Zhao family's place was quite deserted. This was because the area surrounding their courtyard had been forcibly occupied by a wealthy man named Qian Daming. At that moment, large-scale construction was underway on that land.
Curious villagers went to ask the workers what they were doing. The workers replied that they were building a mansion as luxurious and grand as the royal palace.
At this moment, Wei Lu was sitting behind the screen in the side hall with a dark face, listening to Zhao Wangchuan and General Qian playing a game of cat and mouse.
"General Qian, are you really planning to do this?" Zhao Wangchuan asked calmly.
Qian Daming, known as General Qian, answered without hesitation: "I dare not disobey His Majesty's orders. Second Prince, why don't you come back to the capital with me and personally ask His Majesty for instructions? If His Majesty says that there is no need to start construction, I will immediately withdraw the people."
Zhao Wangchuan was somewhat speechless; after all, his status was undeniable, even if he was extremely unwilling to admit it.
“General Qian, have you forgotten? The Second Prince and Consort Lu perished in a fire sixteen years ago. The Emperor himself announced it to the world and even built a mausoleum for them.” This was the part of the Emperor that Zhao Wangchuan could not forgive the most.
Qian Daming was a reckless man who did nothing but obey orders: "I would also like to ask His Majesty for instructions on this matter. This humble general has no authority to interfere."
Wei Lu gritted her teeth behind the screen, nearly dying of anger at this brute. She thought, "That person sent someone like this just to drive me to my death. Can't they at least give me and my child a peaceful life?"
Zhao Wangchuan remained calm and composed: "General Qian, I'll say it again. Although I, Zhao Wangchuan, share the same surname, I have no connection to the royal family. Also, don't try to pin any titles on me; I have no intention of becoming a stepping stone for them to reach the top. If he truly cherishes his eldest son so much, why not simply make him the crown prince? Does he have to force me to fight against other princes so that his beloved eldest son can securely ascend to the throne? Isn't he afraid that I'll become too powerful and depose his beloved son?"
General Qian felt increasingly uneasy as he listened, sensing that he was about to suffer misfortune after hearing these words.
But Zhao Wangchuan didn't give him a chance to interrupt: "General Qian, just relay these words to that person as they were. Also, tell him that I've found a treasure trove at sea and am preparing to move there."
After speaking, Zhao Wangchuan immediately instructed Zhao Lin and Uncle Lin to see the guests out. He had already heard his mother, Wei Lu, gritting her teeth behind the screen.
"Mother, don't be angry. Let's have a proper Mid-Autumn Festival, and then we'll move to that island in half a month. Master has been gone for a month now, and he should have arranged things pretty much by now. As soon as we get there, I'll take you fishing in the sea. It'll be so much fun, really." Zhao Wangchuan walked around the screen, his face full of smiles as he tried to comfort Wei Lu.
Wei Lu snorted and said, "At least you still have some conscience. You weren't coaxed back by your cold-hearted father. Once we go to live on that island, you can get married and give your mother a few grandsons."
Zhao Wangchuan's smile deepened: "Mother, those islands are full of poor families, you won't find a daughter-in-law you like there. How about you tell me who you prefer, and I'll kidnap her and have her stay on that island with you as your daughter-in-law?"
Wei Lu chuckled and tapped Zhao Wangchuan's forehead, saying, "You're always trying to amuse your mother. Now that you mention it, I actually have someone in mind. Do you remember that girl we met a few days ago when I accompanied my mother to that herbal medicine clinic? My mother likes girls like that. Why don't you just tie her up and take her away?"
Zhao Wangchuan thought for a moment before remembering who the girl he had encountered that day was: "Mother, that woman was in love with Qi Ji. Didn't you see that girl was pestering Qi Ji? You asked your son to tie her up, aren't you afraid she might do something rash?"
Wei Lu looked at Zhao Wangchuan speechlessly: "Who told you to actually tie her up? Why didn't you take the opportunity to get close to her and make her follow you wholeheartedly? I don't think that girl really liked Qi Ji. Her clinginess must mean she wants something from him."
Believe it or not, Wei Lu was right. The girl they were talking about was none other than Sang Moyun, who had been trying to pester Qi Ji to treat her mother's illness. But Qi Ji refused outright.
In a moment of impulsiveness, Sang Moyun got into a fight with Qi Ji, using the excuse of being attracted to him all day long to pester him. Even when Qi Ji went to brothels, Sang Moyun followed him without hesitation.
For this reason, Wei Yu mocked Sang Moyun more than once. But Sang Moyun remained unchanged, reporting to the clinic on time every day. As a result, everyone in the clinic, including the patients, recognized Sang Moyun. Some even went so far as to say that Sang Moyun was Qi Ji's betrothed.
Doctor Qi stood by and watched, pleased with the outcome. Fei Fei also approved of Sang Moyun's actions and praised her highly. Therefore, Sang Moyun became even more emboldened. She treated the clinic as if it were her own home.
Qi Ji was in a terrible predicament. He explained to Doctor Qi and Fei Fei many times that Sang Moyun was only pestering him because she needed his help. But they didn't believe him and advised Qi Ji to get to know the girl well and arrange their engagement at the end of the year.
This time, Qi Ji finally tasted the bitterness of shooting himself in the foot. He had specifically gone to Wei Yu about this matter, hoping Wei Yu could help him persuade Sang Moyun. However, since it was Wei Yu's idea, Wei Yu naturally wouldn't contradict himself.
Feeling frustrated, Qi Ji tried every means to avoid Sang Moyun. One day, he secretly fled to Xinzhou Village. Since he only knew the Li and Zhao families there, he stood at the crossroads, hesitating about which family to bother.
After all, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it would be impolite to suddenly visit someone's home. After much deliberation, Qi Ji still went to the Zhao family's house. However, he was stopped as soon as he approached the Zhao family's gate.
They were General Qian's men, specifically assigned to protect Zhao Wangchuan and his mother.
Helpless, Qi Ji had no choice but to turn back. As he passed the Li family's house, he once again heard a lively commotion inside. Almost without thinking, he stepped forward and knocked on the door, eager to join in.
The person who came out to answer the door was none other than Li Xiaonuan's cousin, Xiaoqian. Upon seeing Qi Ji again, Xiaoqian no longer felt the blind, impulsive excitement she once had. However, that pure, innocent emotion was still strongly present.
Having only met Xiaoqian twice, Qi Ji had long forgotten her identity. So, standing at the courtyard gate, he awkwardly asked, "Miss, is Li Xiaonuan home?"
Qi Ji himself couldn't figure out why he asked if Li Xiaonuan was home, instead of Xiao Yang or someone else. In short, the name that came to his mind was Li Xiaonuan.
Xiaoqian was momentarily lost in thought when she heard Qi Ji's question.
I really wanted to just give up. But I persevered. Not for any particular reason, but so that when I look back on it in the future, I can feel a little comfort.